Photo by Dave Roback / The RepublicanPlans are under way to repair this fountain at Stearns Square in Springfield, according to the city's director of parks, buildings and recreation management.

Question: Why is the beautiful fountain sculpture at Stearns Square not functioning?

Who is Chester William Chapin – the name engraved on it?

What is the significance of the date on the fountain?

Did I once see this fountain in Gurdon Bill Park?

– John Griffin,
Longmeadow

Answser: The fountain, known as the “Turtle Fountain,” was once part of a sculptural grouping in Stearns Square that included the most famous example of public art in Springfield, “The Puritan” by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

That towering bronze statue represents Deacon Samuel Chapin, one of the founders of Springfield, caught in mid-stride with his cape flowing dramatically over his shoulders.

The grouping was commissioned for the city by one of the deacon’s descendants, railroad magnate and U.S. congressman Chester W. Chapin.

Stanford White, a renowned architect of the day, collaborated with Saint-Gaudens on the grouping that included the statue, a pink granite bench, and a fountain that consisted of a large bronze globe topped by two intertwined fish flanked by snapping turtles. The two fish and all four turtles spouted water.

The fountain was in storage for many years before the park was rebuilt in 1983. For a time, it had been kept in Forest Park, where it provided a pool in a cage full of ducks and geese. “The Puritan” was moved to its current location in Merrick Park at the City Library in 1899. Two of the fountain’s turtles were stolen and then recovered in 1994.

Patrick J. Sullivan, the city’s director of parks, buildings and recreation management, said plans are under way to restore the fountain, which needs extensive work. “It’s going to be a $200,000 fix at a minimum,” he said.

Sullivan said the project will be kick-started with a $40,000 Community Development Block grant obtained through the Business Improvement District. Sullivan said he hopes that the grant will at least be able to get the fountain’s water flowing again.

The funding source for the remainder of the project, which includes restoration of the fountain bowl, bronze globe and sidewalk replacement, have yet to be determined, Sullivan said.

The original turtles are being held for safekeeping at Forest Park. Restorations plans include replicating the turtles so the quite-valuable originals can be ultimately displayed in a museum, Sullivan said.

Sullivan said he is not aware of the fountain being in any other of the city parks. The benches, that accompany the fountain, however, had been in Gurdon Bill Park for a time. 